The SCICU Spring Board of Trustees meeting is planned for Tuesday, February 25, 2014. Hosted by President Henry N. Tisdale, the meeting will be held on the campus of Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC. The meeting begins at 10:30 am and will conclude with a luncheon.  For more information, you may contact the office or see our web calendar. 

 

The biennial Board of Trustees Retreat has been scheduled for the following year on March 5-6, 2015. The retreat will take place at the Westin Poinsett Hotel in Greenville, SC. Agenda topics and speakers are already being considered to ensure a quality program. 

  

We thank our board members for their participation in these meetings and in helping SCICU be A Voice for Higher Education in South Carolina.

 

SCICU Board of Trustees Chair Kathy McKinney named Jim Reynolds as the organization's chief integrity officer. This position was created when the Board adopted a policy for Reporting Improper Conduct in 2010. Mr. Reynolds, CEO and a partner with Total Comfort Solutions, is the chair-elect of the SCICU Board of Trustees. He can be reached at 803-772-4495 or jim.reynolds@lincservice.com.

 

According to the policy, the chief integrity officer is a person appointed by the chair of the SCICU Board of Trustees who can assure that there will be a fair and impartial investigation of any allegation of improper conduct and that the outcome of the investigation will be based on the merits. The chief integrity officer reports directly to the Board of Trustees. Copies of the policy are provided to new trustees during orientation and are available from the SCICU office.

 

Four college presidents gathered at IT-oLogy to announce a major effort in economic development for South Carolina. Coursepower, a program that features a minor or certificate in applied computing, is now being offered at four Midlands institutions: Benedict College, Columbia College, Midlands Technical College and the University of South Carolina.

 

 "We are breaking new ground," said Larry Wilson, Venture Partner of FirstMark Capital. "When we look at not only the data, but also trends, we know that our challenge is to educate students who are equipped with the skills that business and industry need in a 21st century economy. Coursepower is a piece to that puzzle."

 

USC, Benedict and Columbia College will offer a minor in applied computing, while Midlands Technical College will offer an academic certificate as well as corporate and continuing education certificates. The purpose is to give non-IT majors a technological groundwork so they are better equipped for the digital world that influences every career path. Continue Reading...

 

The SCICU Board of Trustees has adopted a Conflict of Interest Policy "to protect the interest of SCICU when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or trustee...."  This policy was recommended by the Finance Committee to improve the organization's governance and transparency and to be able to respond more confidently when filing IRS Form 990.

 

The Conflict of Interest Policy requires that each SCICU officer and trustee must annually: (1) receive a copy of the policy, (2) read, understand, and agree to comply with the policy, (3) disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest, and (4) file a signed statement agreeing to abide by SCICU's Conflict of Interest Policy.

 

A Conflict of Interest package was sent to all trustees in October. Signed statements should be returned to our administrative assistant Stephenie at Stephenie@scicu.org or faxed to 803-254-7504 by November 22, 2013. 

 

The annual SCICU career fair is set for January 28th. The registration site for employers is now available. If you would like to register online as an employer, whether nonprofit or corporate, please follow this link.

 

A separate education fair will be held at Presbyterian College on April 8th.

 

If you would like further information, you may contact Brenda Torrence at brenda@scicu.org or call 803.799.7122

We love to post accomplishments of our members on our Member College News section of our website and feature a few of the outstanding links in our monthly newsletter.

 

Here are some of the articles we featured this month:

Let us share your news and celebrate your successes. Send your releases to Stephenie Bergen at Stephenie@scicu.org.  

 

To see all of our Member College News, please click here. 

SCICU's on-line network of providers offers goods and services to the independent higher education community in South Carolina. The Business Partners program provides a convenient marketplace where SCICU member colleges and universities can preview offerings from some of the top companies in the country.